I went to the cutest post office today. It was tiny, run by the Postmaster, Kathy. when I walked it, she was putting up a decoration that one of her customers had brought. She told me that she knows most of her customers by first name. As I was buying my money order, a customer walked in and she said "Bill, check your box again, you have more mail". She really does know all of her customers.

Steph, my old doctor prescribed me Pepcid when I had that series of poison ivy afflictions that caused me some skin hypersensitivity.

I will cheerfully admit to schadenfreude on the attempted burglar who got introduced to the "ground and pound."

Our ED hosted a holiday party tonight, though unfortunately she was sick and spet most of the evening in her room. I was amused and unsurprised to note that inviting a bunch of Americorps to dinner is the same as inviting Peace Corps volunteers - they clean the table like a plague of locusts. My manager expressed repeated surprise at how nice I looked - I wasn't even wearing makeup, I was just clean and in a skirt and heels.

It feels so late. It's only 9 pm!! Totally crashing.

Steph, my old doctor prescribed me Pepcid when I had that series of poison ivy afflictions that caused me some skin hypersensitivity.

How long did it take to kick in? Because I took my first dose 3 1/2 hours ago, and, as per usual, want results IMMEDIATELY if not sooner. But I don't know what a reasonable time frame is to expect, because if it doesn't work, prednisone is my next option. So -- a couple of days, or longer?

I'm afraid I don't remember. It was over a year ago, and I may have been on steroids, too. She automatically prescribes steroids if you get it on your face , which I did. Twice. Sorry I can't remember!!

S'okay; I'm just impatient. I know it won't all stop in 3 hours, but I wish it would.

Steph, are you itchy? (I'm following your allergy results, since I seem to be having the same thing.)

I'm not itchy, but my face feels hot a lot.

No worries at all, Sox. I was essentially a prisoner to Comcast after work anyway... nice tech, though. And persistent, bless him.

ION, my B'more peeps came up on Saturday for a sort of impromptu visit (which was amazing of them, and made me feel loved!), and we went to Cosimo's for dinner, and it was delicious... and they were charmed by Germantown Ave. up there. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy about my new town! And my awesome friends.

Sad Tom is sad. My heart breaks for him.

Ah, Nora. That's so hard.

Sad Tom is sad. My heart breaks for him.

Oh, Nora. And Tom. Tom and Nora. Your just being there has to be good for him, even while he's sad. There's no way out but through it, and I bet he's glad to have you there with him while he goes through it.

Steph, are you itchy? (I'm following your allergy results, since I seem to be having the same thing.)

I'm not itchy, but my face feels hot a lot.

The itchiest is my eyes, but I'm randomly, intermittently itchy all over, which could just be from the 0% humidity in this house.

My face feels sunburned -- hot and slightly tight skin and very tender, but not actually redder than normal (I am a very, very pink human being even when my histamine levels are flat).

I'm hoping the doubled-up claritin dose and new pepsid helps this shit.

Doctor also prescribed Nasonex, which the insurance just laughed at, since it's not generic, so I have to call tomorrow to see if he'll switch it to Flonase, which has a generic, and is the same general type of drug, with very similar efficacy rates.

I hate putting stuff in my nose. HAAAATE. It's a testament to how miserable I am that I'm willing to do this.